Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I can't seem to find any local 1/8 plywood which everyone seems to use. My question is, will 1/4 take the bends in a Benroy style (especially interior ceiling) or would I be better off going to maybe a weekender type TD. Thanks John

Where are you located. That will help people suggest places. As for 1/4 " plywood, it can be bent but it is more difficult.

1/4 ply most likely will crack if bent without notching the back. I did use 1/8 Baltic Birch in ours. The only problem was that I had to get a staple gun. They are not that expensive but do come in handy. I am very suprised that you can not find 1/8' ply in your area. Where are you located? Most lumber stores, not HD or Lowe's, should have it or know where you can get it however.

Did you try independent lumber/hardwood stores? Big box stores may not have what you want all the time and I've found that with the economic times as they are right now...many don't carry the stuff that is a slow mover. Don't know where you are located, but you may need to take a drive to get it. I've done 1/4" on the interior ceiling on a "trailer for 2" profile, but it was a challenge. Doug

The higher quality 1/4" plywood with few voids on the interior plys will stand a better chance of bending than regular plywood. Something like a 1/4" marine A/B plywood will have a much better chance of bending without breaking than something like a regular A/C exterior plywood, just because of the big voids you'll have in the normal exterior plywood.

Just something to think about if you try it.

I've bent 1/4" marine ply much more on a boat than is required on a teardrop and it's normally in 2 directions at once (tortured ply) but it takes patience, planning, and the ability to not freak when you break a piece and have to start over....

Thats a 9" radius on the front with 1/4 cheap luan.

I just soaked it with hot water and a towel to keep it wet for about 12 minutes bent it part way and soaked it some more.

You might place a full sheet in black visqueen plastic on a hot sunny day after spraying it down and let it cook a 1/2 hour or so, it should bend like cooked spagetti.

Musicman.....I had to call around and find a "real" lumberyard to find my 1/8 birch,,,,it was worth the drive and bends nicely with no problems....don't know your location but try to find a good source,,,maybe cabinet builders....
TC

Thanks to all the replies. I'm in Roanoke VA and the box stores are all I've looked in. Will hunt up a smaller lumber yard and give them a try. If not I'll just go with what I can. Thanks, John

Well after phone calls, I found some 1/8 luan. Guess that'll do. John

not sure how far these guys are from you, but check out the link. if they do not sell to the public they should know what places near you do.
http://wurthwoodgroup.com/Products.aspx

Thanks George, that is the place that has the 1/8 luan. Salesman said no birch listed. John

just my 2 cents, but when I did my ceiling (pretty tight bend) I tried a few different ways to bend 1/4" ply. soaked a piece and it did bend easily but de-laminated within the time it took to dry... then found it to stink to high heaven after a good soak. several curse words later i rigged up a t-bar to gradually press the wood along in the bend evenly as i nudged the tee along with my knee, i glued and screwed in 8" steps from floor thru the ceiling curve. take carpet laying technique and apply it vertically.

dont know if it was the wood or the glue to bond it but wet plywood stink hangs around for a while